I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of time in nature so far this summer, including my favorite kind of nature – aquatic environments. I’ve been in the Atlantic Ocean, Lake Michigan, and my happy place, Lake of the Woods in Bremen, Ind.
As I enjoyed a pontoon boat ride one evening at Lake of the Woods, it struck me how blessed I’ve been to get to enjoy water in so many forms all my life. Since I grew up near South Bend, I went to Lake of the Woods almost every weekend. My brother-in-law’s family had a cottage there.
My friends and I loved going to Washington Park Beach in Michigan City when we became teenagers, since it was an easy one-hour drive. Lake Michigan always felt like the ocean to me, minus the salt water. And I took various trips with my family to Florida as I grew up as well.
As a child, I could stay in the water from sunup to sundown. I remember often looking at my “prune-y,” wrinkled fingers and toes. I didn’t realize until I became an adult just how therapeutic being in the water can be.
Aquatic therapy can help people of all ages mentally and physically. According to Children’s Clinics (childrensclinics.org), hydrotherapy provides the following benefits:
- Buoyancy and reduced weight-bearing
- Increased range of motion
- Improved muscle strength and endurance
- Enhanced cardiovascular fitness
- Sensory stimulation
- Pain management
- Balance and coordination improvement
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Social interaction and peer support
- Relaxation and stress reduction
The last benefit is my favorite. When I’m on or in the water, my worries melt away. In fact, I’m going to enjoy more of this thanks to learning to sail next month with my brother-in-law as my instructor. My husband and I also started kayaking last year.
With my recent trips to the ocean and lakes, I’ve discovered that being in water now helps me on a spiritual level. With my mind free of worries, cares, and stresses, it opens my heart and soul up to speaking – and listening to – God.
This is completely new for me. I normally like to pray first thing in the morning/last thing at night, during my walks, and at church services. But lately I’ll wander off by myself in the water (even at only 55 degrees in Lake Michigan!) and raise my hands a bit to the glorious blue sky.
I think my relaxed state and being surrounded by so much beauty just transforms me. I feel closer to God and able to easily give thanks for all my blessings.
We have beautiful bodies of water right here in Hamilton County, including Morse and Geist reservoirs and the White River. If you’ve not experienced being out in nature and enjoying these this year, I encourage you to do so. There’s plenty of summer left to make new discoveries for yourself, both natural and spiritual.
Water can truly bring us wonders. Be sure to carve out some wonderful water time while you still can!
Amy Shankland is a writer and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John, two sons, two dogs, and a cat. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.